Image printing system, image printing apparatus, and image printing method

ABSTRACT

According to this invention, there is provided an image printing system which causes a plurality of image printing apparatuses to share and concurrently process an image printing job for outputting a plurality of prints based on image printing conditions and image information supplied from an information processing apparatus. In the image printing system of the invention, each of the image printing apparatuses interactively connected to each other has a proof/wait selection function of selecting a proof mode of outputting a single print or a wait mode of displaying image printing conditions and waiting. A master machine to which image printing conditions and image information are supplied from an information processing apparatus executes image printing operation in the proof mode or wait mode, and transfers the image printing conditions and image information to another image printing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an image printing system, imageprinting apparatus, and image printing method which can be suitablyapplied to a system designed to make a plurality of copying machines,multifunction apparatuses, printers, or the like, each having anelectrophotographic image printing function, share and concurrentlyprocess an image printing job for outputting a plurality of prints,copies, or the like.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] A conventional image printing system is formed by interactivelyconnecting an image printing apparatus which receives image printingconditions and image information and serves as a master machine to animage printing apparatus which serves as a sub-machine to which theimage printing conditions and image information are transferred from themaster machine (e.g., pp. 2-3, and FIG. 3 in Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2002-127560).

[0005] In such an image printing system, when, for example, the mastermachine and the sub-machine share and concurrently process a printingjob for outputting a plurality of prints, the master machine has afunction of allowing selection of a proof mode of printing a singleprint as a proof output to check an output state by using the mastermachine.

[0006] When, for example, receiving an instruction to share a printingjob with the sub-machine to concurrently process the job, and printingconditions and image information for the execution of the printing job,the master machine starts printing processing accompanying proofoperation like that shown in the flow chart of FIG. 1.

[0007] Upon receiving printing conditions and image information, themaster machine checks first, in accordance with the printing conditions,in step S111 in FIG. 1 whether or not printing operation is to bestarted in the proof mode. If printing operation is to be started in theproof mode (YES), the printing conditions are stored as job settinginformation in the storage area of the master machine in step S112.

[0008] Likewise, in step S113, proof execution information is recordedon the job status information stored in the storage area of the mastermachine. Lastly, in step S114, the output state of the master machineunder the printing conditions stored in the storage area of the mastermachine is checked by executing proof output operation as check printingoperation.

[0009] If printing operation is not to be started in the proof mode (NOin step S111), the flow advances to step S121 to check whether aninstruction to execute proof output operation has been issued bychecking whether proof execution information is recorded on the jobstatus information stored in the storage area of the master machine. Ifno proof output operation is to be executed (NO), the flow advances tostep S130 to transfer the printing conditions and image information tothe sub-machine and execute final printing operation in order to outputthe set number of prints while sharing the printing operation with thesub-machine. Assume that proof output operation has already beenexecuted (YES in step S121) and it is determined in step S122 that theprinting conditions stored as job setting information in the storagearea of the master machine differ from the printing conditions set asthe current job setting information (YES). In this case, since printingconditions have already been set again, the flow advances to step S130to transfer the printing conditions recorded as the current job settinginformation and the image information to the sub-machine and executefinal printing operation.

[0010] If the job setting information stored in the storage area of themaster machine does not differ from the current job setting information(NO in step S122), since the output state of a print obtained by proofoutput operation is good, the output print count is incremented by onein step S123. In step S124, the output print count is compared with theset print count. If the output print count is equal to the set printcount (YES), since this printing job is complete, the flow advances tostep S125 to terminate the printing job. If the output print countdiffers from the set print count (NO), the flow advances to step S130 totransfer the printing conditions and image information to thesub-machine and output the remaining number of prints concurrently withthe sub-machine.

[0011] The following problems arise in the conventional image printingsystem.

[0012] 1. Only the master machine can execute proof output operation inthe proof mode, and the sub-machine outputs prints in accordance withthe printing conditions and image information transferred from themaster machine. If, therefore, the master machine and sub-machine differin their mechanical characteristics or maintenance states, printsobtained by the master machine and that obtained by the sub-machine maydiffer in their output states. Even such differences are small, theycannot be allowed in a case wherein it is required to output a largeamount of high-quality prints at high speed as in the POD (Print onDemand) market.

[0013] 2. Since the output state of the sub-machine cannot be checkedand printing conditions cannot be changed by the sub-machine, the outputstate of the sub-machine cannot be adjusted to match the output state ofthe master machine. For this reason, when it is required to outputhigh-quality prints like those described above, it is difficult toconcurrently process a printing job by using both the master machine andthe sub-machine, resulting in a deterioration in the processingefficiency of the overall image printing system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention has been made to solve the above problemsin the prior art, and has as its object to provide an image printingsystem, image printing apparatus, and image printing method which allowan even sub-machine to check image printing conditions and an outputstate, and also allow a master machine and the sub-machine to share andconcurrently execute the operation of outputting equally high-qualityprints.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, according to the firstaspect of the present invention, there is provided an image printingsystem which makes a plurality of image printing apparatuses share animage printing job for outputting a plurality of prints on the basis ofarbitrary image printing conditions and image information, comprising:when image printing operation of outputting a single print based on theimage printing job is defined as a proof mode, and image printingoperation of displaying the image printing conditions and waitingwithout shifting to image printing processing is defined as a wait mode,a plurality of image printing apparatuses each having a proof/waitselection function of selecting either the proof mode or the wait mode,a communication unit which interactively connects the plurality of imageprinting apparatuses to each other, and an information processingapparatus which supplies arbitrary image printing conditions and imageinformation to one image printing apparatus connected to thecommunication unit, wherein image printing operation based on theproof/wait selection function is executed by the one image printingapparatus to which image printing conditions and image information aresupplied from the information processing apparatus, and the imageprinting conditions and image information are transferred from the oneimage printing apparatus to another image printing apparatus to causeanother image printing apparatus which has received the transferredimage printing conditions and image information to concurrently executeimage printing operation based on the proof/wait selection function.

[0016] According to the image printing system of the first aspectdescribed above, an image printing job for outputting a plurality ofprints is executed by an arbitrary image printing apparatus defined as amain machine on the basis of the image printing conditions and imageinformation supplied from the information processing apparatus inaccordance with the proof/wait selection function. At the same time,image printing operation is concurrently executed by another imageprinting apparatus which has received the image printing conditions andimage information transferred from the main machine and servers as asub-machine in accordance with the proof/wait selection function. If itis unnecessary to check an output state and re-set image printingconditions by the sub-machine, the proof/wait selection function of thesub-machine is nullified by the selection nullifying switch provided forthe sub-machine. This allows even the sub-machine to output a signalprint in the proof mode and check an output state or change imageprinting conditions in the wait mode. If, therefore, both the mainmachine and the sub-machine are required to have equivalent outputstates, the sub-machine can adjust and re-set image printing conditionswhile checking the output state of the sub-machine by the proof/waitselection function. Since a plurality of image printing apparatuses canshare printing operation and concurrently output high-quality prints inequivalent output states, the processing efficiency of an image printingjob can be improved.

[0017] According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing system wherein another image printingapparatus described in the first aspect which has received thetransferred image printing conditions and image information comprises aswitch which switches whether or not a proof/wait mode of selecting aproof mode or a wait mode on the basis of the proof/wait selectionfunction.

[0018] According to the third aspect of the present invention, in theimage printing system described in the first or second aspect, when theone image printing apparatus which is connected to the communicationunit and receives arbitrary image printing conditions and imageinformation from the information processing apparatus is defined as amain machine, and another image printing apparatus which receives theimage printing conditions and image information transferred from the oneimage printing apparatus is defined as a sub-machine, image printingoperation based on the image printing job is started by the mainmachine, and part of the image printing job is allocated to not lessthan one sub-machine connected to the communication unit to cause eachsub-machine to concurrently execute image printing operation based onthe image printing job allocated from the main machine.

[0019] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing system wherein another image printingapparatus described in the third aspect which serves as the sub-machinecomprises a selection nullifying switch which nullifies the proof/waitselection function of selecting the proof mode or the wait mode.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a first image printing apparatus which is connected to aninteractive communication unit and shares an image printing job foroutputting a plurality of prints on the basis of arbitrary imageprinting conditions and image information supplied from a hostinformation processing apparatus, comprising, when image printingoperation of outputting a single print based on the image printing jobis defined as a proof mode, and image printing operation of displayingthe image printing conditions and waiting without shifting to imageprinting processing is defined as a wait mode, an image printing unitwhich prints an image on the basis of a proof/wait selection instructionto select a proof mode or wait mode from the host information processingapparatus, wherein the image printing unit executes image printingoperation based on image printing conditions, image information, and aproof/wait selection instruction supplied from the informationprocessing apparatus, and transfers the image printing conditions andimage information to another image printing apparatus.

[0021] According to the first image printing apparatus, when asub-machine is to concurrently process an image printing job, togetherwith the main machine, which is based on the image printing conditionsand image information transferred from the main machine, the sub-machinealso executes image printing operation based on a proof/wait selectioninstruction. At this time, image printing conditions are adjusted by theinitial values of the output condition information stored in the memoryunit of the sub-machine. If it is unnecessary for a sub-machine to checkan output state and re-set image printing conditions, the proof/waitselection function of the sub-machine is nullified by the selectionnullifying switch provided for the sub-machine. Since even an imageprinting apparatus which becomes a sub-machine upon receiving imageprinting conditions and image information transferred from an imageprinting apparatus serving as a main machine can execute image printingoperation based on the proof/wait selection function, the sub-machinecan output a single print in the proof mode, check an output state, andchange image printing conditions in the wait mode. Even if a sub-machineis required to realize the same output state as that in the mainmachine, image printing conditions can be adjusted and re-set while anoutput state in the sub-machine is checked by the proof/wait selectionfunction. This makes it possible to form prints in the same output stateas that in the main machine.

[0022] Since the output state of a sub-machine can be automaticallyadjusted in accordance with the initial values of the output conditioninformation stored in the memory unit of the sub-machine to becomeequivalent to that of the main machine, the setting efficiency of imageprinting conditions in the sub-machine can be improved. If it isunnecessary for the sub-machine to perform proof/wait selectingoperation, this operation can be nullified by the selection nullifyingswitch provided for the sub-machine. This makes it possible to eliminatethe stop time of the processing of a printing job by proof/waitselecting operation in the sub-machine. Only when the sub-machine isrequired to realize the same output state as in the main machine, imageprinting conditions can be adjusted and re-set while an output state ischecked by the proof/wait selection function. This makes it possible toconcurrently output prints with necessary and sufficient qualitytogether with other image printing apparatuses without decreasing theprocessing efficiency of an image printing job.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the apparatus furthercomprises a memory unit which stores which output condition informationfor adjusting the image printing conditions described in the fifthaspect, and the image printing unit prints an image on the basis of theimage printing conditions adjusted by the output condition informationstored in the memory unit and the image information.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, thereis provided an image printing apparatus wherein the output conditioninformation described in the sixth aspect includes not less than one ofimage position information, postprocessing information, and densityinformation.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the image positioninformation described in the seventh aspect includes not less than oneof obverse surface main scanning information, obverse surfacesub-scanning information, reverse surface main scanning information,reverse surface sub-scanning information, obverse surface page spacingamount information, and reverse surface page spacing amount informationof an image printing position.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the postprocessinginformation described in the seventh aspect includes not less than oneof punching position information, stapling position information, foldingposition information, and cutting position information.

[0027] According to the 10th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the density informationdescribed in the seventh aspect includes density data of not less thanone color of fundamental colors including yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan(C), and black (K).

[0028] According to the 11th aspect of the present invention, the imageprinting apparatus described in the sixth aspect further comprises aselection nullifying switch which nullifies a proof/wait selectionfunction of selecting the proof mode or the wait mode, and when theproof/wait selection function is nullified by the selection nullifyingswitch, adjustment of the image printing conditions based on outputcondition information stored in the memory unit is not executed.

[0029] According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a second image printing apparatus which can be connected to aninteractive communication unit, comprising an image printing unit, and acontrol unit which controls input/output operation of the image printingunit, wherein one image printing apparatus to which arbitrary imageprinting conditions and image information are supplied is defined as amain machine, another image printing apparatus which receives imageprinting conditions and image information transferred from the mainmachine is defined as a sub-machine, and when an image printing job isstarted by the main machine, and part of the image printing job isallocated to not less than the one sub-machine connected to thecommunication unit to make the respective sub-machines concurrentlyexecute image printing operation based on the allocated image printingjob, the control unit performs control to switch whether to make thesub-machine execute image printing operation under the image printingconditions allocated from the main machine or under image printingconditions uniquely held by the sub-machine.

[0030] According to the second image printing apparatus, when thesub-machine is to concurrently execute image printing operation based onthe image printing conditions and image information transferred from themain machine, the control unit switches whether to use the imageprinting conditions allocated as output conditions for the sub-machineby the main machine or to use the image printing conditions uniquelyheld by the sub-machine. Even if, therefore, the main machine andsub-machine differ in their output states, since control can beperformed to switch the image printing conditions used as outputconditions to image printing conditions unique to the sub-machine, theoutput state of the sub-machine can be automatically adjusted to becomeequivalent to that of the main machine by using the image printingconditions uniquely held by the sub-machine. For this reason, an imageprinting job can be quickly executed under the automatically adjustedoutput conditions, and hence the availability of the apparatus improves.

[0031] According to the 13th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein when the control unitswitches to cause the sub-machine described in the 12th aspect toexecute image printing operation under the image printing conditionsallocated from the main machine, the image printing conditions allocatedfrom the main machine include not less than one of image positioninformation, postprocessing information, and density information.

[0032] According to the 14th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the image positioninformation described in the 13th aspect includes not less than one ofobverse surface main scanning information, obverse surface sub-scanninginformation, reverse surface main scanning information, reverse surfacesub-scanning information, obverse surface page spacing amountinformation, and reverse surface page spacing amount information of animage printing position.

[0033] According to the 15th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the postprocessinginformation described in the 13th aspect includes not less than one ofpunching position information, stapling position information, foldingposition information, and cutting position information.

[0034] According to the 16th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the density informationdescribed in the 13th aspect includes density data of not less than onecolor of fundamental colors including yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),and black (K)

[0035] According to the 17th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein when the control unitswitches to cause the sub-machine described in the 12th aspect toexecute image printing operation under the image printing conditionsuniquely held by the sub-machine, the image printing conditions uniquelyheld by the sub-machine include not less than one of image positioninformation, postprocessing information, and density information.

[0036] According to the 18th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the image positioninformation described in the 17th aspect includes not less than one ofobverse surface main scanning information, obverse surface sub-scanninginformation, reverse surface main scanning information, reverse surfacesub-scanning information, obverse surface page spacing amountinformation, and reverse surface page spacing amount information of animage printing position.

[0037] According to the 19th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the postprocessinginformation described in the 17th aspect includes not less than one ofpunching position information, stapling position information, foldingposition information, and cutting position information.

[0038] According to the 20th aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing apparatus wherein the density informationdescribed in the 17th aspect includes density data of not less than onecolor of fundamental colors including yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C),and black (K).

[0039] According to the 21st aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing method of making a plurality of imageprinting apparatuses share an image printing job for outputting aplurality of prints on the basis of arbitrary image printing conditionsand image information, comprising the steps of, when image printingoperation of outputting a single print based on the image printing jobis defined as a proof mode, and image printing operation of displayingthe image printing conditions and waiting without shifting to imageprinting processing is defined as a wait mode, providing a proof/waitselection function of selecting either the proof mode or the wait modefor each of the plurality of image printing apparatuses, connecting theplurality of image printing apparatuses, each of which is provided withthe proof/wait selection function, to an interactive communication unit,supplying arbitrary image printing conditions and image information toone of the image printing apparatuses connected to the communicationunit, executing image printing operation based on the proof/waitselection function by using one of the image printing apparatuses towhich the image printing conditions and image information are supplied,and transferring the image printing conditions and image information toanother image printing apparatus, and executing image printing operationbased on the proof/wait selection function by using another imageprinting apparatus which has received the transferred image printingconditions and image information.

[0040] According to the 22nd aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image printing method wherein when the one image printingapparatus which is connected to the communication unit described in the21st aspect and receives arbitrary image printing conditions and imageinformation is defined as a main machine, and another image printingapparatus which receives the image printing conditions and imageinformation transferred from the image printing apparatus serving as themain machine is defined as a sub-machine, image printing operation basedon the image printing job is started by the main machine, and part ofthe image printing job is allocated to not less than one sub-machineconnected to the communication unit to cause each sub-machine toconcurrently execute the image printing job allocated from the mainmachine.

[0041] According to the image printing method of the 21st aspect, sinceeven an image printing apparatus which becomes a sub-machine uponreceiving the image printing conditions and image informationtransferred from an image printing apparatus serving as a main machineupon receiving image printing conditions and image information from theinformation processing apparatus can execute image printing operationbased on the proof/wait selection function, the sub-machine can alsooutput a single print in the proof mode to check its output state andchange image printing conditions in the wait mode. If, therefore, boththe main machine and the sub-machine are required to have equivalentoutput states, the sub-machine can adjust and re-set image printingconditions while checking the output state of the sub-machine by theproof/wait selection function. Therefore, a plurality of image printingapparatuses can share printing operation and concurrently outputhigh-quality prints in equivalent output states.

[0042] As is obvious from the respective aspects described above, thepresent invention can be suitably applied to a system in which aplurality of copying machines, multifunction apparatuses, printers, orthe like, each having an electrophotographic image printing function,share and concurrent process an image printing job for outputting aplurality of prints, copies, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043]FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an example of proof operation in aconventional image printing system;

[0044]FIG. 2 is a conceptual view showing the schematic overallarrangement of an image printing system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0045]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views each showing the first displayexample of a setting check window based on a proof/wait selectionfunction in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0046]FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic views each showing the second displayexample of the setting check window based on the proof/wait selectionfunction in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0047]FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic views each showing the third displayexample of the setting check window based on the proof/wait selectionfunction in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0048]FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic views each showing the fourth displayexample of the setting check window based on the proof/wait selectionfunction in the image printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0049]FIG. 7 is a conceptual view showing an example of the arrangementof output condition information of an image printing job executed by animage printing apparatus;

[0050]FIG. 8 is a conceptual view showing an example of the arrangementof output condition information stored in a nonvolatile memory in theimage printing apparatus;

[0051]FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2 are flow charts showing an example of printingprocessing by an image printing apparatus (master machine); and

[0052]FIGS. 10-1 and 10-2 are flow charts showing an example of printingprocessing by an image printing apparatus (sub-machine).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0053] An image printing system, image printing apparatus, and imageprinting method according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of an example of the arrangementof an image printing system 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of imageprinting apparatuses are interactively connected to each other and shareand concurrently execute an image printing job for outputting aplurality of prints on the basis of the image printing conditions andimage information supplied from a host information processing apparatusor the like. Each of these apparatuses has a proof/wait selectionfunction. Each apparatus executes image printing operation in accordancewith the proof mode of outputting a single print or the wait mode ofwaiting while displaying image printing conditions, and transfers imageprinting conditions and image information to the other image printingapparatus.

[0055] With this operation, the image printing apparatus which receivesthe transferred image printing conditions and image information andserves as a sub-machine can also execute image printing operation basedon the proof/wait selection function.

[0056] The image printing system 100 shown in FIG. 2 is a system whichcan make a plurality of image printing apparatuses each having theproof/wait selection function share and concurrently process an imageprinting job for outputting a plurality of prints on the basis of theimage printing conditions and image information supplied from theinformation processing apparatus. The image printing system 100 can besuitably applied to a system which makes a plurality of copyingmachines, multifunction apparatuses, printers, or the like, each havingan electrophotographic image printing function, share and concurrentlyprocess an image printing job for outputting a plurality of prints,copies, or the like.

[0057] In the image printing system 100, digital multifunction copyingmachines 110 and 120, each having an image printing function, and aterminal 130 serving as an information processing apparatus areconnected to each other through a LAN (Local Area Network) 40 serving asan interactive communication unit.

[0058] Each of the digital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 isan example of an image printing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, thedigital multifunction copying machine 110 is comprised of a digitalcopying main body 50 having an electrophotographic image printingfunction and a print/scanner controller 60 functioning as an imageprocessing unit.

[0059] The digital copying main body 50 is comprised of an operationunit 10, a scanner unit 20 functioning as an image reading unit, aprinter unit 30 functioning as an image printing unit, and a controlunit 40 which controls them.

[0060] The operation unit 10 is comprised of an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) 11 and operation unit control unit 12. The operation unit 10 isa touch panel type user interface designed to make various kinds ofsettings and perform information input operation through the operationunit control unit 12 when setting item buttons, numeral buttons, and thelike displayed on the LCD 11 are operated by being pressed. Theoperation unit control unit 12 has a switch 70. The operator can nullifythe proof/wait selection function by using the switch 70.

[0061] The scanner unit 20 is comprised of a solid-stage image sensingdevice 21 formed from a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and scanner controlunit 22. The scanner unit 20 is controlled by the scanner control unit22 to read arbitrary image information by using the CCD 21 in accordancewith an instruction input through the operation unit 10.

[0062] The printer unit 30 is comprised of an LD (Laser Diode) 31 andprinter control unit 32. The printer unit 30 is controlled by theprinter control unit 32 to expose an image based on arbitrary imageinformation on a photosensitive drum (not shown) by using a laser beamemitted from the LD 31.

[0063] The control unit 40 is comprised of a read processing unit 41,compression IC (Integrated Circuit) 42, DRAM (Dynamic Random AccessMemory) control IC 43, image memory 44, decompression IC 45, imagecontrol CPU (Central Processing Unit) 46, nonvolatile memory 47, writeprocessing unit 48, and LAN/IF (InterFace) 49. The control unit 40predominantly controls the digital copying main body including theoperation unit 10, scanner unit 20, and printer unit 30.

[0064] The read processing unit 41 is connected to the CCD 21 to convertimage information input as an electrical signal from the CCD 21 intodigital information. The compression IC 42 is connected to the readprocessing unit 41 to compress digitized arbitrary image informationinput through the read processing unit 41.

[0065] The DRAM control IC 43 is connected to the compression IC 42 andis also connected to the image memory 44, decompression IC 45, imagecontrol CPU 46, and nonvolatile memory 47. Under the control of theimage control CPU 46, the DRAM control IC 43 controls the image memory44 to store, in the image memory 44, image information compressed by thecompression IC 42 and to read out image information from the imagememory 44 and send the information to the decompression IC 45.

[0066] The image memory 44 is a DRAM connected to the DRAM control IC 43and includes a compression memory 441 and page memory 442. The imagememory 44 functions as a work area for the compression IC 42,decompression IC 45, and image control CPU 46. The compression memory441 stores image information compressed by the compression IC 42. Thepage memory 442 stores page information for reconstructing imageinformation compressed by the compression IC 42.

[0067] The decompression IC 45 is connected to the DRAM control IC 43and write processing unit 48 to acquire image information and pageinformation read out from the image memory 44 through the DRAM controlIC 43. The decompression IC 45 also reconstructs image informationcompressed by the compression IC 42 on the basis of page information andsends the resultant information to the write processing unit 48.

[0068] The image control CPU 46 is connected to the DRAM control IC 43and nonvolatile memory 47 and is also interactively connected to theoperation unit control unit 12, scanner control unit 22, and printercontrol unit 32 through a serial communication device 141 complying withthe RS232 standards. The image control CPU 46 controls the scannercontrol unit 22, printer control unit 32, and DRAM control IC 43 inaccordance with operation instructions input through the operation unitcontrol unit 12 while referring to various programs and informationstored in the nonvolatile memory 47 as needed, thereby controlling theoverall digital copying main body 50.

[0069] The nonvolatile memory 47 is connected to both the DRAM controlIC 43 and the image control CPU 46 and stores various kinds of programsand information which are required by the DRAM control IC 43 and imagecontrol CPU 46 in computation processing.

[0070] The write processing unit 48 is connected to the decompression IC45 and LD 31. The write processing unit 48 converts arbitrary imageinformation input from the decompression IC 45 into a control signal forcausing the LD 31 to emit a laser beam so as to expose an image based onthe image information on the photosensitive drum (not shown).

[0071] The LAN/IF 49 is an interface for connecting the digital copyingmain body 50 to a LAN to interactively connect the digital copying mainbody 50 to the information processing apparatus 130, the digitalmultifunction copying machine 120, and other image printing apparatuses(not shown). As the LAN/IF 49, an Ethernet(R) port complying with theIEEE802.3 standard or the like is used.

[0072] The print/scanner controller 60 is comprised of a LAN/IF 61,controller control CPU 62, DRAM control IC 63, and image memory 64, andfunctions as an image processing unit.

[0073] The LAN/IF 61 is an interface for connecting the print/scannercontroller 60 to a LAN to interactively connect the print/scannercontroller 60 to the terminal 130, the digital multifunction copyingmachine 120, and other image printing apparatuses (not shown). Like theLAN/IF 49, as the LAN/IF 61, an Ethernet(R) port complying with theIEEE802.3 standard or the like is used.

[0074] The controller control CPU 62 is connected to the LAN/IF 61 andDRAM control IC 63 to convert image information externally input throughthe LAN/IF 61 or image information input from the digital copying mainbody 50 through the DRAM control IC 63 into bitmapped digital data, asneeded. The controller control CPU 62 converts the primary colors ofthese pieces of image information from the RGB format to the YMCK formatwhile performing color tone correction processing, and sends out theresultant image information to the DRAM control IC 63.

[0075] The DRAM control IC 63 is connected to the controller control CPU62 and image memory 64, and is also interactively connected to the DRAMcontrol IC 43 of the digital copying main body 50 through a PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 142. The DRAM control IC 63controls writing and reading image information image-processed by thecontroller control CPU 62 and image information input through the DRAMcontrol IC 43 to and from the image memory 64, and also controls sendingimage information image-processed by the controller control CPU 62 tothe DRAM control IC 43.

[0076] The image memory 64 is connected to the DRAM control IC 63 andtemporarily stores image information before and after image processingby the controller control CPU 62 to serve as a work area for thecontroller control CPU 62.

[0077] The digital multifunction copying machine 190 has the samearrangement as that of the digital multifunction copying machine 110described above, and incorporates a digital copying main body 50 havingan electrophotographic image printing function and switch 70.

[0078] The information processing apparatus 130 is a workstation or thelike which is interactively connected to the digital multifunctioncopying machines 110 and 120 and other image printing apparatuses (notshown) through the LAN 140. The information processing apparatus 130 iscomprised of a display unit 131 having an image display function like anLCD, and a main body 132 having an information processing functionrealized by a CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory), DRAM, and other memories andan operation unit for the information processing function. Theinformation processing apparatus 130 is an information input terminalfor supplying image printing conditions and image information to anarbitrary image printing apparatus of a plurality of image printingapparatuses including the digital multifunction copying machines 110 and120.

[0079] The LAN 140 is a communication unit which interactively connectsa plurality of image printing apparatuses (not shown) including thedigital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 to the informationprocessing apparatus 130. More specifically, the LAN 140 is a networkfor information communication which is formed from an Ether cable suchas 10BASE-T or the like complying with the IEEE802.3 standard.

[0080] For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the digitalmultifunction copying machines 110 and 120 has the proof/wait selectionfunction. When, for example, the digital multifunction copying machine110 receives image printing conditions and image information from theinformation processing apparatus 130 and serves as a main machine(master machine), a “setting check” window P1 in the wait mode of theproof/wait selection function is displayed, as shown in FIG. 3A, on thedisplay unit 131 of the information processing apparatus 130 and on theLCD 11 of the operation unit 10 of the master machine 110. With thisoperation, the master machine 110 predominantly controls an imageprinting job for outputting a plurality of prints on the basis of theimage printing conditions and image information supplied from theinformation processing apparatus 130. This image printing job iscontrolled by operation through the main body 132 of the informationprocessing apparatus 130 or the operation unit 10 of the master machine110.

[0081] The buttons B arranged on the left side of the “setting check”window P1 are operation display buttons similar to those in aconventional digital multifunction apparatus. On the right side of eachbutton, a supplied image printing condition is displayed numerically orgraphically. Assume that a given image printing condition is to bechanged. In this case, when the corresponding button is selected, thedisplay switches to a detail setting window for the item displayed atthe button to allow the operator to change the detail setting of theimage printing condition.

[0082] An “image shift” key K1, “postprocessing position” key K2, and“output density value” key K3 arranged on the right side of the “settingcheck” window P1 are buttons to shift to setting windows for imageshifts, postprocessing position, and output density value, respectively.On the right sides of the respective buttons, the numerical valuesautomatically set by the initial values of the output printinginformation stored in the nonvolatile memory 47 are displayed. Thisallows the operator to check the image printing conditions supplied fromthe information processing apparatus 130 and the details of the initialvalues of the output condition information stored in the nonvolatilememory 47 with the displayed contents on the “setting check” window P1.

[0083] The set values for image shifts which are displayed on the rightside of the “image shift” key K1 are the initial values of the imageposition information stored as one item of output condition informationin the nonvolatile memory 47. This image position information includesobverse surface main scanning information, reverse surface main scanninginformation, obverse surface sub-scanning information, reverse surfacesub-main scanning information, obverse surface page spacing amountinformation, and reverse surface page spacing amount information. Theobverse surface main scanning information and reverse surface mainscanning information are offset amounts which are referred to whenimages are to be printed on a sheet, and the image printing positions onthe obverse and reverse surfaces of the sheet are to be shifted from anend of the sheet in the horizontal direction. Likewise, the obversesurface sub-main scanning information and reverse surface sub-mainscanning information are offset amounts which are referred to when theimage printing positions on the obverse and reverse surfaces of thesheet are shifted from an end of the sheet in the vertical direction.The obverse surface page spacing amount information and reverse surfacepage spacing amount information are the initial values of the spacingamounts between pages printed to be printed on the obverse and reversesurfaces of a sheet when images corresponding to a plurality of pagesare to be formed on one sheet.

[0084] When, for example, the “image shift” key K1 is selected in the“setting check” window P1, the display switches to an “image shiftsetting” window P2 like that shown in FIG. 3B. This allows the operatorto change the image shift amounts automatically set as the initialvalues of the image position information. Assume that a “shift” key K9,“double-sided” key K10, and “right shift” key K11 are selected, and a“1” key K12 and “5” key K13 are sequentially selected from the ten-keypad for inputting numerical values. In this case, the set values arechanged such that the positions of images to be printed on a sheet areshifted to the right by 15 mm on the obverse surface of the sheet and tothe left by 15 mm on the reverse surface.

[0085] This makes it possible to set detailed values for image shiftswhile checking the shift amounts of images to be printed on the sheetwith both graphical and numerical displays. When images corresponding toa plurality of pages are to be printed on one sheet, a “reduction shift”key K9 a and “page spacing” key K10 a are selected, and a numericalvalue as a page spacing is input by using the ten-key pad for inputtingnumerical values. After the image shift settings are changed, an “OK”key K14 is selected, and the display returns to the “setting check”window P1 in FIG. 3A.

[0086] In the “setting check” window P1, the set values displayed on theright side of the “postprocessing position” key K2 are the initialvalues of the postprocessing information stored as one item of theoutput condition information in the nonvolatile memory 47. These valuesare positioning information required for punch (hole formation)processing, staple (binding) processing, folding processing, or cuttingprocessing to be performed on a sheet on which an image is printed.

[0087] When the “postprocessing position” key K2 is selected in the“setting check” window P1, the display switches to one of“postprocessing position setting” windows P3 to P10. If, for example,the operator inputs desired set values in the “saddle stitching stopperposition setting” window P3 shown in FIG. 4A by using the ten-key padfor inputting. numerical values, the input values displayed on the upperleft end of the window are changed. When a “setting” key K15 isselected, the numerical values of the set values displayed on the rightof the input values are changed to the same values of the input values.This allows the operator to change the positioning stopper position,which is used to saddle-stitch sheets on which images are printed, whilechecking the input values and set values.

[0088] After the saddle stitching stopper position is set/changed, theoperator selects a “next item” key K16 to set desired values, in thesame manner as described above, in the “vertical punching positionsetting” window P4 shown in FIG. 4B, the “horizontal punching positionsetting” window P5 shown in FIG. 4C, the “center folding stopperposition setting” window P6 shown in FIG. 5A, the “cutting stopperposition setting” window P7 shown in FIG. 5B, the “Z-folding stopperposition setting” window P8 shown in FIG. 5C, the “vertical sidestitching stapling position setting” window P9 shown in FIG. 6A, and the“horizontal side stitching stapling position setting” window P10 shownin FIG. 6B. In this manner, the position information required for thesetypes of postprocessing can be changed from the automatically setinitial values of postprocessing information. When necessary changes tothe postprocessing positions are complete, a “previous window” key K17is selected to return to the “setting check” window P1 in FIG. 3A.

[0089] The set value displayed on the right side of the “output densityvalue” key K3 is the initial value of the density information stored asone item of the output condition information in the nonvolatile memory47. This value is the density data of each of the fundamental colors,i.e., C (Cyan), M (magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Black), used to print animage.

[0090] When the “output density value” key K3 is selected, the displayswitches to a “density level setting” window P11 shown in FIG. 6C. Thisallows the operator to change the density level of cyan (C)automatically set from the initial value of density information storedin the nonvolatile memory 47. When the density level of anotherfundamental color is to be changed, the “next page” key K16 is operatedto switch the display to a “density level setting” window for magenta(M), yellow (Y), or black (K) (not shown), and the density level ischanged to a desired density level for the corresponding color. Thismakes it possible to re-set the density level of each fundamental colorautomatically set from the initial value of density information for eachcolor. After re-setting of density levels is complete, the “previouswindow” key K17 is selected to return to the “setting check” window P1in FIG. 3A.

[0091] When the set values of the irnge shifts, postprocessingpositions, and output density values, which are set by the abovechanging operation, are confirmed by selecting a “setting change” key K4in the “setting check” window P1, and a “check copy” key K6 is selected,the current mode switches to the proof mode to make the digitalmultifunction copying machine 110 output only one of prints based on thechanged image shifts, postprocessing positions, and output densityvalues. In this case, the numerical value displayed on the right side ofa “copy count” key K7 is decremented by 1.

[0092] If the output state of the print output in the proof mode issufficiently good, an “end” key K8 is selected to start the imageprinting job. If the output state of the print output in the proof modeis not good, the output condition information is changed again in theabove manner. When the output state of a print is to be checked by usingthe initial values of the output condition information stored in thenonvolatile memory 47, a “setting cancel” key K5 is selected to returnall the set values to the initial values of the output conditioninformation. When the “check copy” key K6 is repeatedly selected, outputcondition information by which a good output state can be obtained isconfirmed by selecting the “setting change” key K4, and the “copy count”key K7 is selected to input a correct copy count again. Thereafter, the“end” key K8 is selected to start the image printing job.

[0093] This makes it possible to check the initial values of the outputcondition information stored in the nonvolatile memory 47 in the waitmode and to set the initial values of the output condition informationagain by arbitrarily changing them. In addition, this allows theoperator to change the output condition information so as to obtain asufficiently good output state while checking the output state of aprint based on the initial values or re-set values of the outputcondition information in the proof mode.

[0094] The digital multifunction copying machine 110 executes by itself,as the master machine 110, the image printing job in accordance with theoutput condition information, based on which the output state has beenchecked in this manner, and transfers the output condition informationincluding the image printing condition supplied from the informationprocessing apparatus 130 to the digital multifunction copying machine120, together with the image information. This allows the digitalmultifunction copying machine 120 to serve as the sub-machine 120 so asto share and concurrently execute the image printing job.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7, the output condition information transferredfrom the master machine 110 to the sub-machine 120 is attached to imageinformation 90 as header information 80 constituted by job statusinformation 81 and job setting information 82.

[0096] The job status information 81 includes part of the image printingcondition supplied from the information processing apparatus 130 and astorage area 81 a for information associated with the proof/waitselection function. When the proof/wait selection function is not beused in the sub-machine 120, flag “0” is set in the storage area 81 a.When the proof mode is to be selected, flag “1” is set in the storagearea 81 a. When the wait mode is to be selected, flag “2” is set in thestorage area 81 a. This allows the master machine 110 to control theproof/wait selection function of the sub-machine 120. By using themaster machine, the operator can choose between checking an output stateand re-setting output condition information by using the proof/waitselection function of the digital multifunction copying machine 120 andimmediately and concurrently executing the image printing job on thebasis of the output condition information from the master machinewithout using the proof/wait selection function of the sub-machine as inthe conventional image printing system. Therefore, the master machine110 and sub-machine 120 can function as the first image printingapparatuses according to the present invention.

[0097] The job setting information 82 is constituted by various kinds ofset conditions such as a resolution, read mode, set sheet count, printeroperation mode, output mode, paper delivery mode, selected tray, andselected size which are included in the image printing conditionssupplied from the information processing apparatus 130, applied selectedinformation automatically set from the initial values of the outputcondition information stored in the nonvolatile memory 47 of the mastermachine 110, and applied parameter information 82 a.

[0098] The applied selected information includes information concerningchoices of image position information such as image shifts and reductionshifts shown in FIG. 3B. The applied parameter information includes, asthe initial values of image position information, postprocessinginformation, and density information, obverse surface main scanningdirection shift amount data, obverse surface sub-scanning directionshift amount data, reverse surface main scanning direction shift amountdata, reverse surface sub-scanning direction shift amount data, obversesurface page spacing amount data, reverse surface page spacing amountdata, punching position offset amount data, side stitching staplingposition offset amount data, saddle stitching stapling position offsetamount data, center folding position offset amount data, Z-foldingposition offset amount data, cutting position offset amount data, outputdensity level data, and the like.

[0099] The data included in the applied selected information and appliedparameter information 82 a are loaded as default output conditioninformation 47 b unique to each of the digital multifunction copyingmachines 110 and 120 in nonvolatile stored information 47 a stored inthe nonvolatile memory 47 provided in each of the digital multifunctioncopying machines 110 and 120 at the time of shipment or periodicmaintenance of each of the digital multifunction copying machines 110and 120. The default output condition information 47 b unique to each ofthe digital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 is set toeliminate the difference in output state between the digitalmultifunction copying machines 110 and 120 due to their mechanicalcharacteristics.

[0100] By replacing the applied selected information and appliedparameter information 82 a transferred from the master machine 110 withthe default output condition information 47 b stored in the nonvolatilememory 47, prints can be output by using the default output conditioninformation 47 b which is adjusted in advance to match the output stateof the sub-machine 120 with that of the master machine 110. This makesit possible to easily eliminate the difference in output state betweenprints output from the master machine 110 and the sub-machine 120 due totheir mechanical characteristics and maintenance states.

[0101] Assume that flags “1” and “2” are set in the storage area 81 afor the job status information 81 transferred from the master machine110, and the proof/wait selection function is to be used in thesub-machine 120. In this case, the “setting check” window P1 based onthe proof/wait selection function shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is displayedon the display unit 131 of the information processing apparatus 130 andon the LCD 11 of the digital multifunction copying machine 120 in thesame manner as in the master machine 110.

[0102] At this time, since the output condition information for thesub-machine 120 is set by the master machine 110, the “setting cancel”key K5 is selected to replace the set values of the image positioninformation, postprocessing information, and density information withthe default output condition information 47 b stored in the nonvolatilememory 47. This can eliminate the difference in output state betweenprints output from the master machine 110 and the sub-machine 120 due totheir mechanical characteristics. Selecting the “check copy” key K6 andchecking the output state of the sub-machine 120 using the defaultoutput condition information 47 b in the proof mode can eliminate thedifference in output state between the master machine 110 and thesub-machine 120 due to the difference in maintenance state therebetween.

[0103] The sub-machine 120 can nullify its own proof/wait selectionfunction by using the switch 70 provided on the operation unit controlunit 12, and can forcibly replace the output condition information(image printing conditions) allocated from the master machine 110 withthe default output condition information 47 b (image printingconditions) uniquely held in the sub-machine 120 (second image printingapparatus).

[0104] Even if, therefore, flag “0” is set in the storage area 81 a forthe job status information 81 transferred from the master machine 110 toinhibit the sub-machine 120 from using the proof/wait selectionfunction, selection can be made to execute an image printing job byusing the default output condition information 47 b in the sub-machine120. Assume that the mechanical characteristics and maintenance statesof the master machine 110 and sub-machine 120 are sufficiently graspedin the image printing system 100. In this case, by switching the switch70 of the sub-machine 120, an image printing job in the sub-machine 120can be quickly executed upon selecting either the output conditioninformation in the master machine 110 or the default output conditioninformation 47 b in the sub-machine 120.

[0105] Note that when priority is given to only the processing speed ofan image printing job, an image printing job can be quickly andconcurrently executed by the master machine 110 and sub-machine 120 bycausing the information processing apparatus 130 to supply imageprinting conditions set to also inhibit the master machine 110 fromusing the proof/wait selection function.

[0106] An example of the operation of each of the image printing system100 and digital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 describedabove will be described as an embodiment of the image printing methodaccording to the present invention with reference to the flow charts ofFIGS. 8 to 11. FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow charts showing an example of theprinting (image forming) processing by the digital multifunction copyingmachine 110. FIGS. 10 and 11 are flow charts showing an example of theprinting processing by the digital multifunction copying machine 120serving as a sub-machine.

[0107] This embodiment is based on the premise that in the imageprinting system 100 described above, the digital multifunction copyingmachine 110 which has received printing conditions (image printingconditions) and image information from the information processingapparatus 130 and has become a master machine and the digitalmultifunction copying machine 120 which has received the printingconditions and image information transferred from the master machine 110and has become a sub-machine share and concurrently process a printingjob for outputting a plurality of prints.

[0108] Assume that in the master machine 110, the output conditioninformation 80 including the printing conditions supplied from theinformation processing apparatus 130 is automatically created by addingthe default output condition information 47 b (see FIG. 8) stored in thenonvolatile memory 47 of the master machine 110 to the printingconditions as shown in FIG. 7.

[0109] [Example of Printing Processing by Master Machine 110]

[0110] Under the above premise, first of all, it is checked in step S1in the flow chart shown in FIG. 9-1 whether or not selection is made touse the proof/wait selection function of the master machine 110 in theprinting conditions supplied from the information processing apparatus130. If flag “1” or “2” is set in the storage area 81 a included in thejob status information 81 of the output condition information 80 shownin FIG. 7 by the printing conditions supplied from the informationprocessing apparatus 130, it is determined that the proof/wait selectionfunction of the master machine 110 is used (YES). It is then checked instep S2 whether or not the switch 70 of the sub-machine 120 is set toallow the use of the proof/wait selection function of the sub-machine120. If the sub-machine 120 can use the proof/wait selection function(YES), the flow advances to step S3 to send out the printing conditionsand image information to the sub-machine 120.

[0111] In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the printing conditions andimage information transferred from the master machine 110 to thesub-machine 120 have an arrangement in which the output conditioninformation 80 constituted by the default output condition information47 b stored in the nonvolatile memory 47 of the master machine 110 andprinting information is automatically added as header information to theimage information 90. This allows the sub-machine 120 to acquireprinting conditions and image information without waiting for a check onprinting conditions and an output state by the master machine 110.Therefore, the processing efficiency improves.

[0112] If flag “0” is set in the storage area 81 a for the outputcondition information 80 to inhibit the master machine 110 from usingthe proof/wait selection function (NO in step S1), the flow advances tostep S3 to start sending out printing conditions and image informationto the sub-machine 120. In this case as well, the printing conditionsand image information transferred from the master machine 110 to thesub-machine 120 have a structure in which the output conditioninformation 80 is automatically attached as header information to theimage information 90, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0113] It is then checked, from the flag set in the storage area 81 afor the job status information 81, in step S4 whether or not theproof/wait selection function of the master machine 110 is effective. Ifthe proof/wait selection function is ineffective (NO), the mastermachine 110 is made to start outputting prints in step S5, and theprinting processing by the master machine 110 is terminated. With thisoperation, when there is no need for the master machine 110 to check thedetails of printing conditions and an output state, and priority isgiven to the processing efficiency for a printing job, the mastermachine 110 starts outputting prints together with the start of sendingprinting conditions and image information to the sub-machine 120. Thismakes it possible to efficiently execute parallel processing of printsby the master machine 110 and sub-machine 120.

[0114] If the switch 70 of the sub-machine 120 is set to inhibit thesub-machine 120 from using the proof/wait selection function (NO in stepS2), the flow shifts to step S11 in the flow chart shown in FIG. 9-2 tocheck whether or not the proof mode is selected in the proof/waitselection function of the master machine 110. If flag “1” is set in thestorage area 81 a for the output condition information 80 shown in FIG.7, it is determined that the proof mode is selected in the mastermachine 110 (YES), the proof output operation of outputting only oneprint is started in step S12.

[0115] When the proof output operation is complete in step S13, themaster machine 110 automatically shifts to the wait mode. In step S14,the “setting check” window P1 based on the proof/wait selection functionshown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 131 of the informationprocessing apparatus 130 and on the LCD 11 of the master machine 110.This makes it possible to check the output state of a print based on theprinting conditions and image information supplied from the informationprocessing apparatus 130 and the default output condition information 47b in the master machine 110. Even if the output state is not goodenough, the output condition information 80 can be easily set again byselecting the “image shift” key K1, “postprocessing position” key K2, or“output density value” key K3 in the “setting check” window P1.Therefore, printing condition scan be easily changed.

[0116] If it is confirmed by the proof output that the output state ofthe print by the master machine 110 is good, the flow advances to stepS17 without changing the printing conditions (NO) in step S15. If thereis no need to check an output state in the proof mode again (NO), theproof/wait selection function of the master machine 110 is nullified byselecting the “end” key K8 in the “setting check” window P1 shown inFIG. 3A.

[0117] If it is confirmed from the proof output that the output state ofthe print from the master machine 110 is not good, selection is made tochange the printing conditions (YES) in step S15. In step S16, the“setting check” window P1 shown in FIG. 3A is switched to one of thedetail setting windows P2 to P11 shown in FIGS. 3B to 6C to set outputcondition information for the master machine 110 again, thereby changingthe printing conditions. If it is necessary to check the output statebased on the printing conditions after the change, a shift is made tothe proof mode by selecting the “check copy” key K6 in the “settingcheck” window P1 (YES) in step S17 to return to step S12. In thismanner, the processing in steps S12 to S17 is repeated until the outputstate in the master machine 110 becomes good enough.

[0118] If flag “2” is set in the storage area 81 a for the outputcondition information 80 shown in FIG. 7, the wait mode is selected inthe master machine 110 (NO in step S11). In step S14, the “settingcheck” window P1 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 131of the information processing apparatus 130 and on the LCD 11 of themaster machine 110. If the details of the printing conditions arechecked in the “setting check” window P1 and the printing conditions areto be changed (YES in step S15), the printing conditions are changed instep S16. The flow then advances to step S17. If the printing conditionsare not to be changed (NO in step S15), the flow advances to step S17without changing the printing conditions. In either case, if it isnecessary to check the output state based on the printing conditionsdisplayed in the “setting check” window P1, a shift to the proof mode ismade by selecting the “check copy” key K6 in the “setting check” windowP1 (YES). The flow then returns to step S12.

[0119] Regardless of whether the proof mode or wait mode is selected inthe master machine 110, the printing conditions can be changed byrepeating the processing in steps S12 to S17 while checking the detailsof the printing conditions in the master machine 110 or the outputstate. This makes it possible to easily set printing conditions whichcan provide a good output state.

[0120] If printing conditions which provide a good output state areconfirmed through the loop of steps S12 to S17, and it is unnecessary tocheck the output state from a proof output (NO in step S17), the flowadvances to step S18 to nullify the proof/wait selection function of themaster machine 110 by selecting the “end” key K8 in the “setting check”window P1. The flow then returns to step S3 in FIG. 8.

[0121] The printing conditions for which an output state has beenchecked by the proof/wait selection function of the master machine 110in this manner and image information are sent out to the sub-machine 120in step S3. At this time, since the proof/wait selection function of themaster machine 110 has already been nullified (NO in step S4), themaster machine 110 is caused to start output operation in step S5. Withthis operation, even when the use of the proof/wait selection functionof the sub-machine 120 is inhibited, since the printing conditions forwhich an output state has been checked by the master machine 110 aretransferred, together with image information, to the sub-machine 120,the master machine 110 and sub-machine 120 can share and concurrentlyexecute the operation of outputting a plurality of prints whilemaintaining an output state with necessary and sufficient high quality.

[0122] If both the master machine 110 and the sub-machine 120 are tocheck printing conditions and output states by using the proof/waitselection functions (YES in step S1 and YES in step S2), since it isdetermined in step S4 that the proof/wait selection function of themaster machine 110 is effective (YES), the flow shifts to step S11 inFIG. 9-2 to check the printing conditions and output state in the mastermachine 110 through the loop of steps S12 to S17. After the proof/waitselection function is nullified in step S18, the flow returns to step S5in FIG. 8 to cause the master machine 110 to start outputting prints.

[0123] In this manner, the printing processing by the master machine 110is complete.

[0124] [Example of Printing Processing by Sub-Machine 120]

[0125] An example of printing processing by the sub-machine 120 to whichprinting conditions and image information are transferred from themaster machine 110 described above will be described next.

[0126] After the sub-machine 120 acquires the printing conditions andimage information sent out from the master machine 110, it is checkedfirst in step S21 in the flow chart of FIG. 10-1 whether or not the useof the proof/wait selection function of the sub-machine 120 is selected.If the use of the proof/wait selection function of the sub-machine 120is nullified by the switch 70 of the sub-machine 120 (NO), the flowadvances to step S23 to cause the sub-machine 120 to start outputtingprints on the basis of the printing conditions and image informationtransferred from the master machine 110.

[0127] In step S24, outputting of prints by the sub-machine 120 isfinished, and the printing processing by the sub-machine is terminated.The printing conditions and image information used in this case areinformation obtained by attaching, to the image information 90, theoutput condition information 80 as header information obtained by addingthe default output condition information 47 b in the master machine 110to the printing conditions supplied from the information processingapparatus 130. Assume that even when the sub-machine 120 is made tooutput a print by using the output condition information 80 created bythe master machine 110, equivalent output states can be obtained fromthe both the master machine 110 and the sub-machine 120, for example,there are no significant differences in mechanical characteristic andmaintenance between the master machine 110 and the sub-machine 120. Inthis case, by nullifying the proof/wait selection function using theswitch 70 of the sub-machine 120, a decrease in throughput due to theproof/wait selection function of the sub-machine 120 can be avoided.

[0128] If the switch 70 is so set as to use the proof/wait selectionfunction of the sub-machine 120 (YES in step S21), the printingconditions are changed by replacing the image position information,postprocessing information, and density information included in theprinting conditions transferred from the master machine 110 with thedefault output condition information 47 b stored in the nonvolatilememory 47 of the sub-machine 120 in step S22. The flow then shifts tostep S31 in the flow chart of FIG. 10-2. The printing conditions andoutput state in the sub-machine 120 are then checked in steps S31 to S37in the same manner as a check on the printing conditions and outputstate in the master machine 110 described above (see FIG. 9-2). If it isdetermined in step S37 that a check on the output state by a proofoutput in the sub-machine 120 is complete, the flow returns to step S23in FIG. 10-1 to cause the sub-machine 120 to start outputting prints.

[0129] In step S24, outputting of prints from the sub-machine 120 iscomplete, and the printing processing by the sub-machine 120 isterminated. The printing conditions used in this case are the conditionsobtained by re-setting the output condition information 80 automaticallycreated from the default output condition information 47 b unique to themaster machine 110 by using the default output condition information 47b unique to the sub-machine 120.

[0130] Using the pieces of default output condition information 47 bunique to the master machine 110 and sub-machine 120 makes it possibleto easily eliminate the difference in output state due to thedifferences between the mechanical characteristics and maintenancestates unique to the respective digital multifunction apparatuses.Therefore, the output state of prints output from the sub-machine 120can be made equivalent to the good output state of the master machine110.

[0131] Although whether or not to use the proof/wait selection in thesub-machine 120 may be selected by setting the switch 70 of thesub-machine 120 as in the above printing processing. However, thisselection may be made by setting flag “0” in the storage area 81 a ofthe sub-machine for the job status information 81 in accordance with theprinting conditions supplied from the information processing apparatus130.

[0132] As described above, in this embodiment, since the digitalmultifunction copying machine 120 which receives transferred printingconditions and image information and serves as a sub-machine can alsoexecute printing processing based on the proof/wait selection function,the sub-machine 120 can also output a single print in the proof mode andcheck its output state, or change the details of printing conditions inthe wait mode.

[0133] Even if, therefore, it is necessary for the master machine 110and sub-machine 120 to have equally high-quality output states, sinceprinting conditions can be set again while the output state in thesub-machine 120 is checked by the proof/wait selection function, aplurality of digital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 can bemade to share and concurrently output a plurality of prints in equallyhigh-quality output states.

[0134] In addition, the output condition information 80 in thesub-machine 120 can be automatically adjusted by the default outputcondition information 47 b stored in the nonvolatile memory 47 of thesub-machine 120 such that the output state of the sub-machine 120becomes equivalent to that of the master machine 110. The processingefficiency for printing jobs can be improved. Switching the switch 70provided on the sub-machine 120 can eliminate the stop time of theprocessing of a printing job by proof/wait operation. Therefore, thepresent invention can properly cope with a case wherein importance isplaced on the processing efficiency of a printing job.

[0135] Only when an output state equal in quality to that of the mastermachine 110 is required, printing conditions can be adjusted and setagain while the output state of the sub-machine 120 is checked by theproof/wait selection function in the sub-machine 120. This allows aplurality of digital multifunction copying machines 110 and 120 to shareand concurrent execute the operation of outputting prints with necessaryand sufficient quality without degrading the processing efficiency ofthe overall image printing system 100.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image printing system which makes a pluralityof image printing apparatuses share an image printing job for outputtinga plurality of prints on the basis of arbitrary image printingconditions and image information, comprising: when image printingoperation of outputting a single print based on the image printing jobis defined as a proof mode, and image printing operation of displayingthe image printing conditions and waiting without shifting to imageprinting processing is defined as a wait mode, a plurality of imageprinting apparatuses each having a proof/wait selection function ofselecting either the proof mode or the wait mode; communication meansfor interactively connecting said plurality of image printingapparatuses to each other; and an information processing apparatus whichsupplies arbitrary image printing conditions and image information toone image printing apparatus connected to said communication means,wherein image printing operation based on the proof/wait selectionfunction is executed by said one image printing apparatus to which imageprinting conditions and image information are supplied from saidinformation processing apparatus, and the image printing conditions andimage information are transferred from said one image printing apparatusto another image printing apparatus to cause said another image printingapparatus which has received the transferred image printing conditionsand image information to concurrently execute image printing operationbased on the proof/wait selection function.
 2. A system according toclaim 1, wherein said another image printing apparatus which hasreceived the transferred image printing conditions and image informationcomprises a switch which switches whether or not a proof/wait mode ofselecting a proof mode or a wait mode on the basis of the proof/waitselection function.
 3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein whensaid one image printing apparatus which is connected to saidcommunication means and receives arbitrary image printing conditions andimage information from said information processing apparatus is definedas a main machine, and said another image printing apparatus whichreceives the image printing conditions and image information transferredfrom said one image printing apparatus is defined as a sub-machine,image printing operation based on the image printing job is started bysaid main machine, and part of the image printing job is allocated tonot less than one sub-machine connected to said communication means tocause each sub-machine to concurrently execute image printing operationbased on the image printing job allocated from said main machine.
 4. Asystem according to claim 3, wherein said another image printingapparatus serving as said sub-machine comprises a selection nullifyingswitch which nullifies the proof/wait selection function of selectingthe proof mode or the wait mode.
 5. An image printing apparatus which isconnected to an interactive communication means and shares an imageprinting job for outputting a plurality of prints on the basis ofarbitrary image printing conditions and image information supplied froma host information processing apparatus, comprising, when image printingoperation of outputting a single print based on the image printing jobis defined as a proof mode, and image printing operation of displayingthe image printing conditions and waiting without shifting to imageprinting processing is defined as a wait mode, image printing means forprinting an image on the basis of a proof/wait selection instruction toselect a proof mode or wait mode from said host information processingapparatus, wherein said image printing means executes image printingoperation based on image printing conditions, image information, and aproof/wait selection instruction supplied from the informationprocessing apparatus, and transfers the image printing conditions andimage information to another image printing apparatus.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein said apparatus further comprises memorymeans for storing output condition information for adjusting the imageprinting conditions, and said image printing means prints an image onthe basis of the image printing conditions adjusted by the outputcondition information stored in said memory means and the imageinformation.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the outputcondition information includes not less than one of image positioninformation, postprocessing information, and density information.
 8. Anapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image position informationincludes not less than one of obverse surface main scanning information,obverse surface sub-scanning information, reverse surface main scanninginformation, reverse surface sub-scanning information, obverse surfacepage spacing amount information, and reverse surface page spacing amountinformation of an image printing position.
 9. An apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the postprocessing information includes not less thanone of punching position information, stapling position information,folding position information, and cutting position information.
 10. Anapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the density information includesdensity data of not less than one color of fundamental colors includingyellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
 11. An apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein said apparatus further comprises aselection nullifying switch which nullifies a proof/wait selectionfunction of selecting the proof mode or the wait mode, and when theproof/wait selection function is nullified by said selection nullifyingswitch, adjustment of the image printing conditions based on outputcondition information stored in said memory means is not executed. 12.An image printing apparatus which can be connected to interactivecommunication means, comprising: image printing means; and control meansfor controlling input/output operation of said image printing means,wherein one image printing apparatus to which arbitrary image printingconditions and image information are supplied is defined as a minamachine, another image printing apparatus which receives image printingconditions and image information transferred from said main machine isdefined as a sub-machine, and when an image printing job is started bysaid main machine, and part of the image printing job is allocated tonot less than said one sub-machine connected to said communication meansto make said respective sub-machines concurrently execute image printingoperation based on the allocated image printing job, said control meansperforms control to switch whether to make said sub-machine executeimage printing operation under the image printing conditions allocatedfrom said main machine or under image printing conditions uniquely heldby said sub-machine.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 12, whereinwhen said control means switches to cause said sub-machine to executeimage printing operation under the image printing conditions allocatedfrom said main machine, the image printing conditions allocated fromsaid main machine include not less than one of image positioninformation, postprocessing information, and density information.
 14. Anapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image position informationincludes not less than one of obverse surface main scanning information,obverse surface sub-scanning information, reverse surface main scanninginformation, reverse surface sub-scanning information, obverse surfacepage spacing amount information, and reverse surface page spacing amountinformation of an image printing position.
 15. An apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein the postprocessing information includes not less thanone of punching position information, stapling position information,folding position information, and cutting position information.
 16. Anapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the density informationincludes density data of not less than one color of fundamental colorsincluding yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
 17. Anapparatus according to claim 12, wherein when said control meansswitches to cause said sub-machine to execute image printing operationunder the image printing conditions uniquely held by said sub-machine,the image printing conditions uniquely held by said sub-machine includenot less than one of image position information, postprocessinginformation, and density information.
 18. An apparatus according toclaim 17, wherein the image position information includes not less thanone of obverse surface main scanning information, obverse surfacesub-scanning information, reverse surface main scanning information,reverse surface sub-scanning information, obverse surface page spacingamount information, and reverse surface page spacing amount informationof an image printing position.
 19. An apparatus according to claim 17,wherein the postprocessing information includes not less than one ofpunching position information, stapling position information, foldingposition information, and cutting position information.
 20. An apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein the density information includes densitydata of not less than one color of fundamental colors including yellow(Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
 21. An image printing methodof making a plurality of image printing apparatuses share an imageprinting job for outputting a plurality of prints on the basis ofarbitrary image printing conditions and image information, comprisingthe steps of, when image printing operation of outputting a single printbased on the image printing job is defined as a proof mode, and imageprinting operation of displaying the image printing conditions andwaiting without shifting to image printing processing is defined as await mode: providing a proof/wait selection function of selecting eitherthe proof mode or the wait mode for each of the plurality of imageprinting apparatuses; connecting the plurality of image printingapparatuses, each of which is provided with the proof/wait selectionfunction, to an interactive communication means; supplying arbitraryimage printing conditions and image information to one of the imageprinting apparatuses connected to the communication means; executingimage printing operation based on the proof/wait selection function byusing one of the image printing apparatuses to which the image printingconditions and image information are supplied, and transferring theimage printing conditions and image information to another imageprinting apparatus; and executing image printing operation based on theproof/wait selection function by using said another image printingapparatus which has received the transferred image printing conditionsand image information.
 22. A method according to claim 21, wherein whensaid one image printing apparatus which is connected to thecommunication means and receives arbitrary image printing conditions andimage information is defined as a main machine, and another imageprinting apparatus which receives the image printing conditions andimage information transferred from the image printing apparatus servingas the main machine is defined as a sub-machine, image printingoperation based on the image printing job is started by the mainmachine, and part of the image printing job is allocated to not lessthan one sub-machine connected to the communication means to cause eachsub-machine to concurrently execute the image printing job allocatedfrom the main machine.